a life of retreating in God's love through family, friends, quilting, and museum

Tuesday, 8 January 2013

Tuesday - Blessings and Woe's

Prayer:God of Love and Compassion,You ask us to comfort all peoples.Create in us imagination so that we can comfort all Your people and not grow weary or discouraged.Inspire in us renewed enthusiasm for carrying out Your work.This we ask in Jesus’ name.Amen.

ReadSt. Luke 6: 24

“But woe to you who are rich, for you have already received your comfort”(NIV Zondervan).

Now we begin the “woe’s”.As prophets of the Old Testament would point out how the people were turning from God and the consequences of their actions,now Jesus is instructing the disciples on their actions and the consequences of their actions.The “woe’s” are an expression of pity and pain.

In St Luke,the blessings and woes match up even though they are verses apart.Verses 20 – 23 are blessings.Verses24 – 26 are the corresponding woes, or pains.

So in verse 24,the people who find comfort in worldly goods will not find comfort in God.The rich will have nothing to look forward to as they are ‘comforted’ by wealth. The very wealth of these people are holding them back from seeing the glory of God.But in verse 20,Jesus says, “Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God”.The poor have something to look forward too – they look forward to God.

How do we live this verse in our lives today? It is simple.We will be blessed by sharing our money and our talents and especially our prayers with those who need help.

Last week,we asked what charity (other than your Church)you were going to support this year.If you haven’t already done this,spend time in prayer today asking God what charity you will help this year so that others can see the love of God in action.

Prayer:God of Heaven and Earth,when we get discouraged and loose our enthusiasm for serving You,remind us that You are with us always.Let us praise Your name, both now and forevermore.From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets,may Your name be praised.Amen.

About Me

A 51 year old Presbyterian Quilter - Museum Volunteer who still loves to sing "Jesus loves me" at the top of my lungs.... much to our next wall neighbours aching ears :) . These daily devotionals are written to bring you the Good News and inspiration into your day. And sometimes there are comments about life in the Manse, quilting, and Museum :)